http://www.volunteer-latinamerica.com/i ... =74&lng=en

I'd really like to give it a go if it's legit, how can I be certain?

Advice sought

Cheers,

Samantha

no, but you may want to ask for a list of previous volunteers you can contact for the area you wish to work in. for example, if you know already you want to work with children in the Quito area, ask them how many of such programs are available in Quito, and the contact info for people who have worked at the specific schools/orphanages/etc. of your interest.

apparently, anybody can set up an NGO, and many of them appear to be for profit. what you are paying for is an agent to help you get situated in a new country. they will show you around, find you a host family or hostel to stay at, faciliate communication between you and the place you work at, possibly help with longer term visas, etc... ask them some basic questions such as, how much of the cost for X goes to the host family, or will you be expected to 'donate' money to the place you are working at, or what happens if there is an incompatibility issue that prevents you from continuing at the place you are volunteering... then contact the previous volunteers and ask them the same questions.

how long are you thinking of volunteering, and where in Ecuador, and working in which field? these things will determine if you really need to go through an NGO in the first place. you can find these places yourself and cut out a bunch of expenses in certain cases. on average, it will cost you about $200-600 more per month going through an NGO to volunteer.